U.S. ARMY INSIGNIA

The Later Revolutionary War Era / 1780

In June 1780, General Washington issued orders on uniforms and
insignia from his New Jersey headquarters.The Army expected to join forces with French troops soon and Washington
wanted the Americans to give the appearance of the fine soldiers they
were. All, except generals, were to wear the uniform of their regiment
or corps.

"All officers as will
warrant as commissioned,to wear a cockade and side arms, either
a sword or a genteel bayonet."

* Subalterns
were the most junior commissioned officers; Ensign, Second Lieutenant,
and Coronet

Noncommissioned officers continued to wear their
green and red epaulettes;"...Subalterns, an epaulette on the left shoulder; and Captains,
an epaulette on the right shoulder..."

(In 1782, white chevrons were approved on
the upper left sleeve for Privates and NCO's to designate years of honorable
service; one chevron for each three years. These were the first Service
Stripes.)

Field grade officers were to wear two epaulettes.

The aides-de-camp would wear their rank insignia
on the uniform of their general, if they didn't belong to a corps.
Aides of Brigadier and Major Generals were to wear a green hat feather;Aides of the Commander-in-Chief, a white and green feather.